Apparatus for treating containers including carrier sterilisation

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for treating containers, including a transport device which transports the containers along a specified transport path, the transport device including a plurality of holding elements for holding the containers, with the holding elements being transported along the specified transport path. The apparatus includes a cleaning device for sterilizing the holding elements at least in sections.

The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for treatingcontainers. It has been known from the prior art for quite a long timethat during the manufacture of plastic containers, for example ofbeverage bottles, plastic preforms are initially generated, which aresubsequently heated and expanded into containers by blow moulding. Theinvention is in particular applicable to apparatus of this kind,however, it is to be noted that the apparatus according to the inventionmay also be used for other machinery such as for example machines forfilling glass containers.

In the sector of the beverage producing industry it is important duringthe filling process to focus particularly on cleanliness and sterility.The various treatment steps of the containers require that thecontainers to be manufactured and filled are transported by a pluralityof transport devices. This transport in turn can lead to contamination.

From WO 2008/125 216 A1, an apparatus for manufacturing containers and amethod for manufacturing moulded bodies are known. In the context ofthis apparatus it is described that radiation means such as UV radiatorsare attached for example to a blowing wheel, and by means of these UVradiators, parts of the surfaces of the apparatus for manufacturingcontainers, such as for example housing walls, are cleaned. Thisapparatus thus allows a partially satisfactory sterilisation of machineparts to be carried out, however, especially the elements that carry thecontainers carry a particular risk factor with regard to contamination.This applies in particular to such holding elements which fortransporting the preforms engage therein or for those that engage in themouth of the containers.

The present invention is therefore based on the object of providing anapparatus and a method which allow an improved sterilisation effect andthus also an improved degree of purity of the system to be achieved.According to the invention, this is achieved by means of an apparatusaccording to Claim 1 and by means of a method according to Claim 11.Advantageous embodiments and further developments are the subjectmatters of the dependent claims.

An apparatus according to the invention for treating containers and inparticular for moulding plastic preforms into plastic containersincludes a transport device which transports the containers along aspecified transport path, wherein the transport device includes aplurality of holding elements for holding the containers, which holdingelements are moved along the specified transport path. According to theinvention, the apparatus includes a cleaning device, in order to cleanthe holding elements at least in sections.

A cleaning device is understood to mean a device which is used forcleaning, in the broadest sense, another element or body. In particular,the cleaning device may be a sterilisation device which sterilises thebody concerned or parts thereof. However, it would also be conceivableto provide for example a mechanically acting cleaning device which onlycleans the body, but does not sterilise or degerm it. Apart from theterm cleaning device, also the term sterilisation device will be usedbelow. Thus, the cleaning device is preferably also used for sterilisingthe holding elements.

According to the invention it is suggested that specifically the holdingelements for the containers or preforms are sterilised. These holdingelements may be such holding elements which come into contact with thecontainers in order to transport them, such as for example grippingclamps and in particular also mandrels which engage in the mouth of thecontainers. Preferably, at least those areas of the holding elements aresterilised which subsequently come into contact with the containers orpreforms.

The cleaning device is advantageously stationary and is particularlypreferably disposed in an area of the transport path of the containers.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the apparatus includes a take-overzone in which it takes the containers over, and a transfer zone in whichit passes the containers on. For example, it is possible for thetransport device to be implemented as a transport chain which takes thecontainers from a transfer wheel and passes them on to a further starwheel or to a blow moulding machine.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the cleaning device is disposed ina zone of the transport path, in which during working operation of theapparatus no containers are present. Advantageously, therefore, thecleaning device is disposed in the transport direction of the holdingelements between the transfer zone and the take-over zone and in thiszone, no containers are carried. In this way, a particularly efficientsterilisation of the holding elements themselves is made possible.

The transport path, along which the holding elements are guided, ispreferably a closed path as may be achieved, for example, if thetransport device is a continuous transport chain or a star wheel.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the apparatus includes at leastone heating element, in order to heat the containers along the transportpath. As mentioned above, in the blow forming processes known from theprior art, the preforms are initially heated up and then expanded intoplastic containers in a heated condition. To this end, continuous ovensare known from the prior art, within which the plastic preforms areheated. In this preferred embodiment it is suggested to dispose thecleaning device in an area of such an oven. This offers the advantagethat, due to the heating process, also the holding elements will be at atemperature which is above room temperature, and due to this elevatedtemperature, also a sterilisation of the holding elements in an improvedmanner is made possible. However, it would also be possible to disposethe cleaning device on other transport devices such as for exampletransfer star wheels or the like.

The heating elements may for example be infrared heaters or the like.However, also the use of microwave heaters would be conceivable.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the cleaning device includes acontainer having a sterilisation liquid associated therewith. Thissterilisation liquid may for example be hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂),alcohol, an alkaline solution, foam, peracetic acid or hot water orsimilar liquids having a sterilising effect. The heating elements, forexample the mandrels or heating mandrels on which the containers areplaced, are at least briefly immersed into this liquid. In a furtheradvantageous embodiment, the holding elements may be immersed into thesterilisation liquid.

Here, particularly preferably, the holding elements may, in particularin the area of the cleaning device, be moved vertically relative to thetransport device, with it being sufficient for at least one verticalcomponent to be present and for instance the holding elements to bemoved at an angle. It would however also be possible to provide nozzlesin the area of the cleaning device for wetting the holding elements witha sterile medium. Also other cleaning devices such as for exampleelectron beam emitters or UV radiators may be provided in the area ofthe cleaning device. Also, several different cleaning devices such asnozzles or dip tanks may be provided.

The apparatus according to the invention allows a sterile processing ofplastic preforms, in particular in a heating module and in particularduring operation, to be carried out. In this way, permanent sterility ofthe preform receptacle in the heating module may be ensured.

Preferably, cleaning is carried out shortly after the plastic preformhas been passed on to a further device such as a blow moulding machineand shortly before a new plastic preform is fetched from an oven inlet.Preferably, the holding elements include holding mandrels which engagein the mouth of the containers. Preferably, these holding elements areplaced on a transport chain or, as was mentioned above, on a transportstar wheel. Sterilisation, however, may also be provided by devicesother than said oven.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the cleaning device includes atleast one brush device for cleaning the holding elements. This may forexample be a rotatable brush device, on the opposite side of which theholding element rolls off. It would also be conceivable to provide twobrush devices arranged opposite one another, between which the holdingelement is passed. It would also be possible to feed one or more brushelements to the holding elements.

In a further advantageous embodiment, a drying device for drying theholding elements is provided in the transport direction of the holdingelements downstream of the cleaning device. Preferably, this dryingdevice is disposed in an area in which no new containers have beenreceived yet. It would thus be possible for the holding element or thepreform receptacle to be immersed into a container containing a sterilemedium, to pass through said container for several seconds and then tobe dried with sterile air or gas after it has re-emerged. In this way itis prevented that any residues from the liquid get into the plasticpreform.

It would further also be possible, as mentioned above, to spray asterile medium onto the holding element, advantageously duringcontinuous rotation of the holding element, in order to allow a uniformdistribution. Subsequently, the preform receptacle or the holdingelement may again be dried with sterile air or with a gas, in order toremove any residues.

Preferably, the above-mentioned mandrels for receiving the plasticpreforms are therefore arranged to rotate. This rotational arrangementis known per se from the prior art, in order to enable the plasticpreforms to be heated along their entire circumference. However, therotation is continued here also in the area of the sterilisation deviceand in particular in the area of the drying device.

It would further also be possible to dry the heating mandrels directlyby means of the heating section of the apparatus. Thus, an empty run maybe provided, in which the heating mandrels run through the heatingsection in order to be dried, whilst for example infrared lamps of theheating device remain switched on.

By means of this approach also shielding plates may be kept sterile,which particularly protect the threads of the plastic preforms.

The present invention is further directed to a system for treatingcontainers, which comprises an apparatus of the above-mentioned kind anda moulding unit for moulding the plastic preforms into plastic bottles.Advantageously, the moulding unit is arranged here in the transportdirection of the containers downstream of the above-mentioned apparatus.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the system includes furthercleaning units which sterilise the containers themselves, and inparticular such cleaning units which sterilise an internal wall of saidcontainers.

The present invention is further directed to a method for treatingcontainers, wherein the containers are transported in a transport devicealong a specified transport path, wherein the containers are transportedin an isolated manner by means of a plurality of holding elementsarranged on a transport device.

According to the invention, the holding elements are sterilised along asection of the transport path at least in sections.

Advantageously, the holding elements are sterilised in a section inwhich they have no containers present thereon.

In a further advantageous method, the containers are taken over from thetransport device in a take-over zone and are passed on by the transportdevice in a transfer zone.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the holding elements are driedupon sterilisation. It is possible here for the holding elements to befirst lowered into a dip tank or to be sprayed and subsequently dried.

Advantageously, the containers are heated along their transport path.

Further advantages and embodiments will become evident from the attacheddrawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of a system according to the invention;

FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of an apparatus according to theinvention;

FIG. 3 shows a detailed view of the apparatus from FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 shows a detailed view of an apparatus according to the invention;

FIG. 5 shows a further detailed view of an apparatus according to theinvention;

FIG. 6 shows a view of a further embodiment of an apparatus according tothe invention;

FIG. 7 shows three sectional views for illustrating an internalsterilisation;

FIG. 8 shows a view of a further embodiment of an apparatus according tothe invention;

FIG. 9 shows a detailed view of the apparatus of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 shows a further embodiment of an apparatus according to theinvention;

FIG. 11 shows a further embodiment of an apparatus according to theinvention;

FIG. 12 shows a further embodiment of an apparatus according to theinvention;

FIG. 13 shows a view of a holding element;

FIG. 14 shows a view of a holding element in a further embodiment;

FIG. 15 shows a sectional view of the holding element shown in FIG. 14;

FIGS. 16 a,b show two views of a further embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIGS. 17 a,b show two views of a further embodiment of the presentinvention; and

FIG. 18 shows a further view for illustrating the embodiments shown inFIGS. 17 a,b.

FIG. 1 shows a system according to the invention for manufacturingplastic containers. This system includes an apparatus 1 such as heatingmeans which heat plastic preforms 10. Here, the plastic preforms aretransported by means of a transport device 2 along a transport path Pand are heated in this zone by heating elements 12. The containers whichare subsequently warm are passed on to a transfer star wheel 32 and fromthere to a moulding unit 40. This moulding unit 40 includes a pluralityof blow moulding stations (not shown), which expand the plastic preformsinto plastic containers.

Reference numeral 4 identifies a holding element which is onlyschematically shown, which holds or carries respectively one plasticpreform 10 so that it can be transported. The plastic preforms 1C arepassed on to the apparatus 1 by a transfer star wheel 18.

Reference letter A refers to a take-over zone in which the plasticpreforms are passed on to the apparatus 1 by the transport star wheel18. Reference letter B identifies a transfer zone in which the plasticpreforms are passed on to the transport star wheel 32 by the transportdevice 2. Between this transfer zone B and the take-over zone A, acleaning device 8 which sterilises the holding elements is provided inthe transport direction of the holding elements 4, which is here thecounter-clockwise direction. Downstream of this cleaning device 8, adrying device 16 is provided which dries the sterilised holding elements4.

FIG. 2 shows an apparatus 1 according to the invention. In thisembodiment, the transport device 2 has a transport chain 22 circulatingabout two diversion wheels 26, 28, which transport chain has a pluralityof holding elements 4 provided thereon. These holding elements 4 areimplemented here as mandrels or heating mandrels which protrude into thecontainers and which in turn are fastened to carrier rods 24 which aremounted on the transport chain 22. Downstream of the transfer zone, i.e.once the holding elements 4 have passed on the containers (not shown),they are guided through a cleaning device 8, which is arranged here tobe stationary and in which a cleaning medium, in particular a liquidsuch as nitrogen peroxide, is provided. The cleaning device 8 isfollowed by the drying device 16.

FIG. 3 shows a possible embodiment of a cleaning device 8 according tothe invention. Here, the cleaning device 8 includes a container 25 intowhich the individual holding elements 4 are immersed. To this end, aguide curve is provided which pushes the holding elements 4 downwardsalong the arrow y in the area of the container 25 and thus immerses theminto the liquid 21. By this means, the guide curve ensures that theholding elements will come back up after having been immersed. To thisend, spring means may be provided on the holding elements 4 or thecarrier rods 24 thereof, which spring means push the holding elements 4back up. In addition or instead of this, as mentioned above, cleaningnozzles may be provided which spray a sterilisation medium onto theindividual holding elements 4.

FIG. 4 shows a further detailed view of an apparatus according to theinvention. In this embodiment, the individual holding elements 4 areconveyed in a horizontal direction. The holding elements here include amandrel 42 which engages in a mouth of the container (not shown) andwhich is disposed on a carrier 44. In this embodiment, the holdingelements 4 are sprayed using a plurality of nozzles 82 and aresterilised in this way. Additionally, a further nozzle 88 for internalsterilisation is provided. Reference numeral 84 relates to a supply linefor feeding a sterilisation medium to the individual nozzles 82, andreference numeral 86 refers to a reservoir for the liquid. Thus, theindividual heating mandrels 42 are sprayed here with a sterile medium,wherein advantageously the heating mandrels are first driven intorotation or are rotated during the spraying process. Subsequently, theheating mandrels 42 are dried using a sterile air blower 72 which isalso connected to a reservoir 74 and which as a whole constitutes adrying device 16.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the nozzle 88 for internally cleaningthe holding elements 4 was omitted. Reference numeral 46 relates to acam roller which is disposed on the holding elements 4 and which is usedfor guiding in relation to a cam 22.

FIG. 6 shows a more detailed view of an apparatus according to theinvention. Here, as was already shown in FIG. 3, the holding elements 4are pushed downwards by a specific guide curve 23 and the mandrels 42are immersed into a sterile liquid 21. Reference numeral 86 againidentifies a reservoir for the sterile liquid, however, a feed 89 fromthe reservoir into the container 25 as well as a return feed 87 areprovided here. In this embodiment, too, a drying device 16 of theabove-mentioned kind is provided downstream with regard to the cleaningdevice 8.

FIG. 7 shows a simplified view for illustrating the internalsterilisation process. The nozzles 88 are here additionally equippedwith a valve (not shown), which opens when passing the heating mandrels.When this valve opens, sterile liquid may flow via a channel on theinside of the heating mandrel for example up to the clamping jaws andcan thus sterilise the locations that will later come into contact withthe preform.

On the left hand side, FIG. 7 shows a situation prior to a contact, withthe valve that feeds the sterile liquid being closed. According to theview in the middle, the nozzle 88 comes into contact with a bearingblock 102, which is here laterally provided on the holding element 4 andcauses the valve (not shown) to open. In this way, a sterile medium isreleased and flows through the holding element. On the right hand side,FIG. 7 shows a section along the lines A-A according to the view in themiddle. What is shown here on the inside of the holding element 4 is achannel 104 for transporting the sterile medium in the direction of themandrel 42. Further, radially extending channels 106 are provided (notshown in detail), which convey the sterile liquid to the outside of theheating mandrel 42.

FIGS. 8-12 show a further embodiment of an apparatus according to theinvention, and in this case the holding elements 4 are gripping clampswhich grip the container around its external circumference, for instancebelow the bearer ring. Reference numeral 52 identifies a carrier wheelon which a plurality of holding elements 4 are arranged. Here, too,cleaning devices 8 are provided radially outside of these holdingelements, which will apply here a sterile medium onto the holdingelements 4 in a radial direction. As shown in FIG. 8, several cleaningdevices may be disposed here around the outer circumference. Preferably,the cleaning device 8 is disposed to be stationary here as well.

FIG. 9 shows a detailed view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 8. It can beseen here that the apparatus also has a guide curve 54 which pushes theholding elements radially outwards when these pass the cleaning devices8 in the circumferential direction. A spring element 56 causes theholding elements to be pulled back again in a radial direction, so thatthey will follow the path of the guide curve 54.

FIG. 10 shows a further embodiment of a cleaning device according to theinvention, however, sterilisation is carried out here from the top. Thetriggering or actuation of a valve (not shown) of this cleaning device 8could for example be carried out independence of a rotary position ofthe holding elements 4, but other control mechanisms would also bepossible, such as for example a light barrier control.

FIG. 11 shows a further embodiment of an apparatus according to theinvention, and here a drying device 16 is shown downstream relative tothe cleaning device, which for example applies air to the holdingelements 4.

FIG. 12 shows a further embodiment of an apparatus according to theinvention. Instead of a drying device implemented as a ventilationdevice, the drying device here has two rollers 108, between which theholding elements 4 are passed and which are used for drying the holdingelements 4.

These rollers 108, however, could also be implemented as brushes forcleaning the holding elements, or a further roller pair (not shown)could be provided. Such brushes could particularly be designed in such away that the internal areas of the holding elements 4 are cleaned aswell.

It is noted that said rollers may be used not just for drying but, ifrequired, also for sterilisation, if a suitable sterilisation medium isapplied.

Thus, by means of the process according to the invention, the mostvaried holding elements may be sterilised. As is the case with theheating mandrels, also in the case of the gripping clamps sterilisationliquid may be applied using the nozzles, and if required, these may bedried again with sterile air using a second nozzle. As mentioned,infrared radiation may be suitable for drying, but also for activatingthe sterilisation liquid. It is conceivable to carry out the dryingprocess shown here, as well as the sterilisation, however, fromdifferent sides or, if needed, also from the bottom. Apart from that, itwould also be possible to clean the holding elements 4 using brushes. Itwould be possible here, as mentioned, for the brushes or rollers toapply additionally sterilisation liquid, by providing them with athrough-passage on the inside.

Apart from that, also a drip protection (not shown) may be providedhere, which ensures that the liquid, i.e. the sterilisation medium, isnot distributed over the entire machine. This dripping protection couldalso recycle the sterilisation medium back to a processing unit.

Apart from that, sensors, in particular optical sensors which check theholding elements in periodic intervals for contamination or sterility,could further be provided. Cleaning of the holding elements may becarried out either in a cleaning cycle, in which the machine may beoperated at a lower speed, or continuously during working operation. Inparticular in the latter case it would be preferred, as mentioned above,to carry out sterilisation or cleaning in an area in which no preform isin engagement, i.e. in the case of heating mandrels, after the transferof the preform to the transoort star wheel and prior to a new take-overof a plastic preform. In the case of clamps, this could be the areadownstream of the location where the plastic preform is passed on to theblow wheel and prior to a new reception of the plastic preform by theheating module.

FIG. 13 shows a view of a heating mandrel 42 on which a plastic preform10 (which is shown only partially and is only indicated) is held.Reception elements 46 are provided on this heating mandrel, which arespring-loaded by spring elements 48 or are pushed radially outwards.Further, connection means such as a screw 45 are provided to enable theholding mandrel 42 to be taken off from a bar 43. The spring means 48 ishere preferably made from a material such as V4A (stainless steel) inorder to be able to resist corrosion and to withstand in particular theapplication of sterilisation media.

FIG. 14 shows a further embodiment of a holding element according to theinvention. In this case, a heating mandrel 42 having O-rings isprovided, which O-rings are advantageously disposed in grooves 63.

FIG. 15 shows a corresponding sectional view of the heating mandrelshown in FIG. 14. What can be seen here are, in particular, theindividual O-rings 64 which are advantageously made from materials suchas EPDM (ethylene propylene diene) rubber, perfluorine rubber such ase.g. FFKM or a suitable composite material. Apart from that it wouldalso be possible to use Teflon rings as O-rings 64. These O-rings aredisposed here in the grooves 63 shown in FIG. 14 and push the receptionelements 66 radially outwards. This means that the O-rings 64 exert aspring action on the reception elements 66. However, these receptionelements 66 are not arranged all the way round the circumference, butrecesses 68 are provided between two fastening means 66, as shown inFIG. 14. In this case, too, the holding mandrel is disposed on a rod 43by means of a connection device 45. The above-explained steps forinternal sterilisation, however, are not shown here.

FIGS. 16 a and 16 b show a further embodiment of the present invention.In addition to the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, a cover means 90 such asa so-called CIP cap is provided here, which is disposed below theholding element 4. In this embodiment, this cover means is pivotablydisposed opposite the holding element 4. Thus, it is possible for thesecover means to be pivotably supported in such a way that they move alongwith an oven chain (not shown). It would also be conceivable for the CIPcaps 90 not to be associated with each holding element, but to bedisposed to be stationary, in order to enable a cyclical cleaning regimeof the holding elements 4. It would also be conceivable to have the CIPcaps 90 accompany the holding elements 4 for certain periods of time. Inthis way, a continuous cleaning process along the accompanying sectionwould be possible.

Advantageously, therefore, a cover means 90 is provided on at least oneholding element 4, and a cleaning liquid may be guided across this covermeans 90 at least in sections.

Reference numeral 112 in FIG. 16 b correspondingly identifies a guidecurve arranged to be stationary, by means of which a roller 92 providedon the cover means 90 may be moved in order to pivot the cover means (inthe figure plane according to FIG. 16 b). This guide curve is hereadditionally pivotable or extendable by means of driving means such as apneumatic cylinder 114. It is possible here for a second curve segment112 c to be displaceable relative to a first curve segment 112 a, inorder to adjust the guide curve 112. Reference numeral 112 b refers to acorresponding transition segment. By means of the adaptation of thecurve 112 as schematically shown in FIG. 16 b of a pivoting process ofthe cover means may be achieved. However, in the same way it would alsobe possible to feed or displace the curve segments 112 a, 112 b and 112c together.

Reference numeral 94 in FIG. 16 a identifies an articulation such as apivot shaft, about which the cover means 90 may be pivoted. Referencenumeral 98 identifies sealing means for sealing the holding element (inparticular during a rinsing process).

For cleaning purposes, a cleaning or sterilisation medium passes here(preferably continuously), via a rotary distributor in the oven, throughthe heating mandrel and/or the shielding plate and is recycled by theCIP cap via a return line (not shown). Also conceivable would be servofeeds for the caps.

The heating mandrels are preferably sterilised in this way on acontinuous oven (for example STIR (selective transformed infrared) or amicrowave oven). In this way, a simpler rotary distribution would beachieved. It would also be conceivable to clean/sterilise in this waythe heating cavities associated with one or several preforms, i.e. forexample the resonators or heating pockets.

FIGS. 17 a and 17 b show a further embodiment of the present invention.Here, so-called heating receptacles 120 or heating pockets are provided,in which the plastic preforms are heated during working operation. Theseheating receptacles move together with the plastic preforms. Thus, theseheating receptacles 120 act as radiation chambers surrounding thepreforms. These heating receptacles may be arranged in the form of acarousel. Reference numeral 122 refers to infrared radiators which heatthe plastic preforms arranged in the reception space 124.

An internal wall of the heating receptacles 120 may here be formed as aceramic infrared radiator. Apart from that it would be possible toinsert a rod-shaped infrared radiator (not shown) into the plasticpreforms, in order to heat the latter. Advantageously, the plasticpreform is here completely positioned (if necessary with the exceptionof its mouth) inside the heating receptacle. However, the heatingelement 4 or the heating mandrel itself does not need to be formed as anIR radiator, but could for instance just reflect or hold the plasticpreform. Reference numeral 126 identifies a protective plate for the IRradiator.

FIG. 17 b shows the heating receptacle 120 in a cleaning operation.Here, this heating receptacle is sterilised by filling it with thesterilisation medium 130. More specifically, here also the heatingradiators 122 and the reflectors could be cleaned. Reference numeral 132refers to a bottom of the heating receptacle, which here also forms anoutlet for the sterilisation medium 130. For opening, the bottom couldbe pivoted about a pivot axis 134. FIG. 17 a additionally shows a returnchannel 118 serving for returning the sterilisation medium. The heatingreceptacle 120 may in particular be filled by the holding element 4itself. Thus, it is not urgently necessary for the mandrel 4 to have itsown cover means 90. In this way, it is also possible to immerse theholding element 4 for cleaning or sterilising the external surfaces. Inother words, the heating receptacle 120 could take over in this way thefunction of the cover means 90.

FIG. 18 shows a further view for illustrating a sterilisation process.The cleaning medium is fed via the channel 104 into a reception space140 formed by the cover means 90. From there, the cleaning medium flowsback up (arrow 22) via the return channel 118. To this end, the covermeans 90 is pressed against a stop 152, which stop may serve also as astop for the plastic preforms during working operation of the system.

Reference numeral 142 refers to a gripper jaw used for holding theplastic preforms. These gripper jaws 142 may be cleaned as well. To thisend, the holding element includes a partial channel 154 which is usedfor rinsing behind the gripper jaws 142. Reference numeral 98 againrefers to sealing means for sealing the cover means 90 against theholding element during the rinsing operation. By means of a spring means146 (which, however, may also be an elastic O-ring), the gripping jaw142 is biased outwards. Reference numeral 144 identifies a holding spacefor holding the gripping jaw 142. In other words, the holding element 4is cleaned or sterilised both on the inside and on the outside.

The cover elements 90 shown in FIGS. 16 to 18 may also be formed atleast partially from a reflective material for reflecting radiationduring normal operation of the apparatus, in particular onto thepreform.

Cleaning or sterilisation liquid may also be used for cooling individualelements such as heating mandrels during normal operation.

Apart from that it is noted that the present invention can also be usedfor such machines which heat the plastic preforms in theircircumferential direction in an irregular manner (preferential heating).An apparatus of this kind is illustrated for example in the so farunpublished German Patent Application No. 10 2009 021 792.4. Thecontents of this application are herewith included in their entirety inthe contents of the present application by reference.

Here, for example, clamps may be cleaned which contact the plasticpreforms, in order to apply thereto in this way an irregular temperatureprofile. Cleaning could also be carried out here by means of brushes oralso in a CIP mode.

Apart from that, it would also be possible to carry out cleaning of asterilisation module as described in PCT/EP2009/059923. The contents ofthis application are herewith included in their entirety in the contentsof the present application by reference as well.

The Applicant reserves the right to claim all of the features disclosedin the application document as essential to the invention, in as far asthey are novel over the prior art either individually or in combination.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   1 Apparatus-   2 Transport device-   4 Holding elements-   8 Cleaning device-   10 Containers-   12 Heating element-   14 Container-   16 Drying device-   18 Transfer star wheel-   21 Sterile medium-   22 Transport chain-   23 Guide curve-   24 Carrier rod-   25 Container-   26, 28 Diversion wheel-   32 Transfer star wheel, transport star wheel-   40 Moulding unit-   42 Mandrel, heating mandrel-   43 Rod-   44 Carrier-   45 Screw-   46 Reception element-   48 Spring element-   50 System-   52 Carrier wheel-   54 Guide curve-   56 Spring element-   62 Groove-   64 O-ring-   66 Reception element-   68 Recess-   72 Sterile air blower-   74 Reservoir-   82 Nozzle-   84 Supply line-   86 Reservoir-   87 Return feed-   88 Nozzle-   89 Feed-   90 Cover means-   92 Roller-   94 Articulation-   98 Sealing means-   102 Bearing block-   104 Channel-   106 Channels-   108 Roller-   112 Guide curve-   112 a-c Segments of the guide curve-   114 Pneumatic cylinder-   118 Return channel-   120 Heating receptacle-   122 Infrared radiator-   124 Reception space-   126 Protection plate-   130 Sterilisation medium-   132 Bottom of the heating receptacle 120-   134 Pivot axis-   140 Reception space-   142 Gripper jaw-   144 Holding space-   146 Spring means-   152 Stop-   154 Partial channel-   A Take-over zone-   B Transfer zone-   P Transport path-   P1, P2 Arrows

1-12. (canceled)
 13. A method for treating plastic preforms, wherein theplastic preforms are transported by a transport device along a specifiedtransport path (P), wherein the plastic performs are transportedseparated from each other by a plurality of holding elements arranged onthe transport device, wherein the holding elements are sterilised alonga partial section of the transport path at least in sections.
 14. Themethod as claimed in claim 13, wherein the holding elements aresterilised in a section in which they have no plastic performs arrangedthereon.
 15. The method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the plasticperforms are taken up by the transport device in a take-over zone (A)and are passed on by the transport device in a transfer zone (B). 16.The method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the holding elements aredried after sterilisation.
 17. The method as claimed in claim 13,wherein the plastic performs are heated along the transport path. 18.The method as claimed in claim 13, wherein a rotatable mandrel engagesis a mouth of the plastic performs.
 19. The method as claimed in claim13, wherein the holding elements are cleaned at least in sections by acleaning device.
 20. The method as claimed in claim 13, wherein theholding elements are sterilised and/or cleaned at least in thosesections, which comes into contact with a perform after a treatment witha sterilizing or cleaning agent.
 21. The method as claimed in claim 13,wherein the holding elements are gripping clamps, which grip thecontainer around its external surface.
 22. The method as claimed inclaim 21, wherein the plastic performs are shaped into plasticcontainers after being heated.
 23. A method for treating plasticperforms, wherein the plastic performs are transported by a transportdevice along a specified transport path (P), wherein the plasticperforms are transported separately from each other by a plurality ofholding elements arranged on the transport device, wherein the holdingelements of the transport device transport the performs into severalblow moulding stations of a blow moulding wheel; and wherein the holdingelements are sterilised and/or cleaned along a section of the transportpath at least in sections by at least one nozzle which is connected to astationary reservoir with cleaning and/or sterilizing medium, theholding elements being gripping clamps, which grip the performs aroundtheir external surface and wherein the sterilising and/or cleaning ofthe holding elements is carried out in a cleaning and/or sterilizingcycle.
 24. A method for treating plastic performs, wherein the plasticperforms are transported by a transport device along a specifiedtransport path (P), wherein the plastic performs are transportedseparately from each other by a plurality of holding elements arrangedon the transport device, wherein the plastic performs are transportedalong a transport path and are heated in this zone by heating elements,wherein the plastic performs are subsequently passed on to a transferstar wheel and from there to a moulding unit, which includes a pluralityof blow moulding stations which expand the plastic performs into plasticcontainers, wherein the holding elements pass a stationary reservoirwith cleaning and/or sterilizing medium and wherein the sterilizingmedium is introduced from the reservoir into a channel of the holdingelements and passes through the holding elements during a workingoperation, and wherein the holding element is a mandrel, which engagesin a mouth of the plastic performs.
 25. The method according to claim24, wherein the mandrel is rotated during heating of the perform. 26.The method according to claim 24, wherein a valve is used forcontrolling the passage of the medium through the holding elements. 27.The method according to claim 26, wherein the valve opens upon passageof the mandrels.
 28. The method according to claim 23, wherein thesterilizing and/or cleaning medium is removed after the sterilizingand/or cleaning treatment.
 29. The method according to claim 24, whereina region of the holding elements which comes into contact with theplastic performs is sterilised and/or cleaned.
 30. The method accordingto claim 23, wherein the plastic performs are rotated during heating ofthe plastic performs.
 31. The method according to claim 24, whereinsterile air is blown onto the holding elements of the transfer starwheel.
 32. The method according to claim 23, wherein the machine may beoperated at a lower speed or wherein the sterilising and/or cleaning ofthe holding elements is carried out continuously during workingoperation.